Transcript Highlights:

• The bill essentially provides up to... 112 hours of protected leave for training purposes.
• When it comes to this, does it encourage building affordable but quality construction?
• provided with this important life-saving instruction, even those without previous training.
• that they are not trained in now as the guidelines changed.
• Currently, we do not have those provisions or that full training in place.

Transcript Highlights:

• the training needs to be interactive. the training needs to be interactive.
• Training matters, members.
• Training matters, members.
• Training matters, members.
• These are important construction.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first adopted a conference committee report on House File 3900, a constitutional amendment related to state government and school trust lands. Members from both parties praised the work on the bill and said the conference committee returned a clean version of the House-passed measure. The report was adopted without opposition, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a 134-0 roll call. The chamber then took up Senate File 4282, a forecast-adjustments bill covering K-12 education, human services, children and families, and transportation. Representative Youakim explained that the conference report restored all four forecast articles plus several no-cost education items, including school fund transfers, utility-payment authority, a paraprofessional licensing clarification, a grant extension, and school trust lands language. Representative Mueller moved to refuse adoption, arguing the report had become a catchall and omitted agreed-upon literacy language; that motion failed 62-72. The House then adopted the conference report, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a 94-37 vote. Next, the House concurred in Senate amendments to House File 4138, the social media bill aimed at restricting addictive social media harms for minors. The Senate had removed House “threat alert” language, and the author said that was the only substantive difference. Supporters said the bill would protect kids online and require parental permission for social media accounts for children 15 and under. The House concurred and repassed the bill as amended by the Senate on a 131-2 vote. The House then began consideration of Senate File 2373, a labor and industry bill exempting minor league baseball players from minimum wage and overtime requirements. Through a series of amendments, members added provisions on rural cancer research, disability services and employment access, unemployment insurance for certain laid-off Iron Range miners, and agricultural funding items such as depredation, local foods, down payment assistance, and meat processing grants. One proposed amendment to remove the double-fencing requirement for farmed cervidae was strongly opposed as a threat to deer health and was defeated 61-72. The transcript ends during debate on that amendment, before final disposition of the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were fortunate to have 4, people or staff members attend that training.
• , uh, as we train our staff to prepare for response efforts.
• Uh, to date, we've trained 76 of our 110 inspectors.
• So we, I mean they, they train for that. They test for that.
• We have some more planned trainings, I think in the.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the background is the training center, and to the right of that training center is the pad where that
• This is an example of our training center and some of the kinds of work that we do.
• This is an example of our training center and some of the kinds of work that we do.
• to construct at the cost that we thought we were going to have to construct that, which might be $2
• So we're taking people that are already highly trained mechanics and we're going to have to train them

Bills: SB1046

Keywords: telecommunications, broadband, internet infrastructure, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, national security, foreign adversary, China, Chinese equipment, supply chain security, network equipment, microchips, Arizona Corporation Commission, telecommunications provider, communications infrastructure, Huawei, ZTE, state-owned enterprise, sanctions, infrastructure security

Transcript Highlights:

• Since inception of the program in 2015, FDOT has completed 42 construction projects, couples.
• FDOT has completed 42 construction projects, covering nearly 95 miles of trails in 21 counties throughout
• Now, this guidebook serves as the foundation of our upcoming local government training, and that's a
• Also, the local government training will consist of two distinct types of workshops.
• So combining that local government training with the AAM toolkit, this will set our local governments

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met and first received an update from FDOT on the Sun Trail shared-use nonmotorized trail program. FDOT said the program, created in 2015 and expanded by 2023 legislation, now includes connections to the Florida Wildlife Corridor and received a one-time $200 million appropriation plus increased annual funding. The department reported programming about $180 million of that funding, completing 42 construction projects totaling nearly 95 miles in 21 counties, and installing trail counters and QR-code surveys to measure usage and economic impact. Members expressed support for the program and asked no substantive questions. The committee then heard a presentation on FDOT’s locally administered state transportation funding programs, including SCOP, SCOPM, SCRAP, SIGP, and TRIP. FDOT explained these programs support local roadway resurfacing, bridge repair, drainage, paving unpaved roads, and safety or capacity improvements, with varying state match levels depending on the program and eligibility. FDOT said its adopted five-year work program includes more than $1.4 billion for local transportation improvement projects. A member asked whether toll revenues from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties fund these programs; FDOT said it would research the funding source and follow up. The committee’s main discussion was a panel on advanced air mobility (AAM), including FDOT and industry representatives from Supernal, Joby, Atlantic Aviation, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, and Eve Air Mobility. FDOT described its AAM planning work, advisory committee, local government guidebook, and upcoming training, while panelists emphasized Florida’s leadership, the likely use of existing airport and heliport infrastructure first, and the expectation that private investment will fund much of the early vertiport buildout. Members raised concerns about community acceptance, privacy, zoning, airspace congestion, security, and lessons from scooters and drones. Panelists repeatedly stressed a “crawl, walk, run” rollout, local government coordination, multimodal connectivity, and public outreach. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the panel.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members, Scott Governor, on behalf of the Construction Employers Association.
• We have more diverse folks coming into the building and construction trades.
• program, where we went from Black workers participating in the union construction trades at 2%.
• Even though they were 10% of the trained apprentices, they were participating at 2%.
• Keith Dunn here on behalf of the State Building Construction Trades Council.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The training academy at Florence was really a critical need for DPS.
• that's still where we train. today and we'll rehouse our recruits.
• Hawkins about training and locals.
• We have a capacity to train locals and they're. required in-service training, pursuit driving training
• We don't have training budgets.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• General Contractors Construction Projects, $5 million or more. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Item C is your alternative delivery method construction project over $5 million.
• Construction-related contracts. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Item E2 are the construction-related contracts for your review today.
• These are the construction contracts, Mr. Chair. Any question on those four?

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Harvard Kennedy School, you know, a training ground for a lot of politicians and bureaucrats, also has
• You know, not a— Population or income, employment or construction.
• So all in all, not a real optimistic picture for the near term for construction.
• So let's say we have a construction company that is hired to build an office building.
• IT services include training, tech support, network operations, help desk services, software training

Summary: The committee first received a presentation from Dr. Reich on the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC), including how the council’s joint executive-legislative forecasting process works, the main state revenue sources, and recent economic conditions. He said Washington’s economy is slowing, with weak employment growth, softer taxable sales, and uncertainty from tariffs, federal spending, and the federal shutdown. He also noted that the September forecast was reduced, mainly because of lower sales tax and real estate excise tax collections, and that the state still expects modest growth rather than a recession. Members asked about whether Washington tends to lag national downturns and how forecast information should affect budgeting; Dr. Reich said the forecast is a revenue tool, not a budgeting decision, and that spending choices remain with elected officials. The Department of Revenue then presented on Washington’s sales and use tax structure and the implementation of Senate Bill 5814, which expands retail sales tax to several services effective October 1, 2025. Steve Ewing explained how sales and use tax are sourced, how reseller permits and the multiple points of use exemption work, and how the new law applies to live presentations, temporary staffing, investigations and security services, IT services, custom website development, advertising services, and custom software. He said DOR held listening sessions, issued interim guidance, and set up a centralized landing page and outreach efforts to help taxpayers understand the changes. He also described a six-month grace period for certain pre-existing contracts through March 31, 2026, but said penalties and interest still apply under the statute. Committee members raised concerns about how businesses and individuals will know when a service is taxable, who is responsible for collecting and remitting tax, and how sourcing will work for services delivered across multiple locations or online. DOR staff walked through examples involving accounting services, live lectures, virtual events, advertising campaigns, and search engine marketing, including the use of reasonable allocation and pool codes when exact sourcing data is unavailable. Members also questioned the administrative burden on small businesses and professionals newly subject to tax, and whether additional legislative fixes or relief from penalties and interest may be needed. No votes or formal actions were taken in the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's probably the largest construction project that any of these towns will ever undertake.
• providers need training.
• Had these officers not been trained properly, things could have gone very awry.
• There are construction, road closures, snow, detours. The GPS is not always correct.
• There are construction, road closures, snow, detours. GPS isn't always right.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 46 bills covering bicycle and pedestrian safety, autonomous and specialty vehicles, street design, and related transportation issues. Chair Jim Arciero and Senate co-chair Brendan Crighton opened the hearing, noted that Senate Bill 2347 was postponed at the sponsor’s request, and explained the hearing procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing. A major portion of testimony focused on autonomous vehicles. Labor representatives from the AFL-CIO, Teamsters, Machinists, and app-based driver organizations opposed bills that would authorize fully autonomous vehicles, arguing they could displace workers, weaken bargaining power, increase congestion, and create safety and data-privacy risks. Waymo and Chamber of Progress supported legislation creating a framework for autonomous vehicles, saying the technology has strong safety results and could improve mobility and economic opportunity, but they opposed provisions requiring a human operator in the vehicle. Transportation and environmental advocates urged stronger oversight, local control, crash-data reporting, and privacy protections before deployment. Several bills on pedestrian and bicycle safety drew support from advocates and affected residents. Testimony backed measures to improve crosswalk timing for slower pedestrians, raise penalties for crosswalk violations, expand truck sideguard and safety-device requirements, and improve roadway marking reflectivity. AARP, MassBike, and other advocates emphasized the need to protect older adults, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users, while some speakers opposed bills expanding e-bike access to sidewalks and natural-surface trails, citing safety concerns. The committee also heard strong support for the Blue Envelope program for drivers with autism and developmental disabilities, with testimony from the Arc of Massachusetts, the Developmental Disabilities Council, families, and individuals describing how the program can reduce misunderstandings during traffic stops and crashes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today to share with you that over 75% of those projects are in the construction phase, preparing
• So training is required. And you know, just like any agency, you lose people.
• Rising construction costs will make all of our construction costs on a go-for basis more expensive.
• National Guard ArchArk construction has begun on the south end of the Capitol.
• My question is, is the plan to cross-train people.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• um are are go go more go construction um are are go go more go more<00:07:22.840> dormant<00:
• even in Industries like construction even in Industries like construction which<00:15:49.399>
• I did work-study and was given hands-on office skill training.
• They help entrepreneurs through every step of launching a business, including trainings.
• They help entrepreneurs through every step of launching a business, including trainings.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and committee effectiveness training, and we're very excited about a new training we're working on
• changed the law regarding uh training changed the law regarding uh training for<00:39:51.359>
• competency related training and previous training<00:40:09.280> was<00:40:09.480> inconsistent
• <00:40:10.240> and<00:40:10.440> less training was inconsistent and less training was
• 179a promotes orderly and constructive 179a promotes orderly and constructive relationships<00:47

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Labor Committee received an overview from Chief Judge Patricia Millan of the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals (WCCA). She explained the court’s history, created in 1981, its role as the appellate body for workers’ compensation disputes after Department of Labor and Industry and Office of Administrative Hearings proceedings, and its original jurisdiction over petitions to vacate settlement agreements. She also noted the court is composed of five judges, is funded entirely by the workers’ compensation fund, and operates with five staff attorneys and two full-time employees. The committee then heard introductory remarks from the judges present for confirmation: Deb Sunquist, Katherine Carlson, Shan Quinn, and Thomas Christensen, with a procedural note that Quinn’s reappointment had not yet been formally referred to the committee, so his motion would be held until paperwork arrived. The judges emphasized their collaborative, panel-based work, their experience representing both injured workers and employers, and their commitment to the workers’ compensation system. Quinn also described efforts to teach workers’ compensation at the University of Minnesota and encourage younger lawyers to enter the field. Members asked about the court’s caseload and about delays in workers’ compensation claims. In response, the judges said the WCCA’s caseload has generally declined and fluctuates, and they offered to provide case-count data. In a more detailed exchange, a senator described a family member’s long-delayed claim; judges explained that repetitive-trauma or “Gillette” injuries often require substantial medical proof and can be difficult for insurers to accept, but that the system is intended to be no-fault and typically takes about a year to a year and a half from filing to resolution. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected here.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:14.400> projects prevailing wage construction projects prevailing wage construction
• <00:26:25.560> field, that uh work in the construction field, that uh work in the construction
• And and train their staff to do it. And and train their staff to do it. Mr. Mr. Mr.
• workers and construction companies, and we're not talking about big construction companies, even though
• workers and construction companies, and we're not talking about big construction companies, even though

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As cities and towns around the Commonwealth undertake millions to construct water treatment facilities
• One of the cities in my district is facing an $80 million bill to construct a PFAS remediation plant
• I trained and went on to train medical and dental students at Harvard and Yale.
• They're trained, licensed, supervised, and safe. This bill will do the same for dentistry.
• Army did end up covering the cost of the construction. In this way, Ayer was fortunate.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a lengthy hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills related to environmental health, PFAS, medical device chemicals, food access, lead poisoning, air quality, oral health, and school food additives. Chair Driscoll and Chair Decker emphasized that the hearing was for testimony only, no decisions would be made that day, and that written testimony could still be submitted. They also noted the high volume of speakers and asked witnesses to keep remarks brief. A major portion of the hearing focused on PFAS-related legislation, including bills to restrict PFAS in products and food packaging and to create a PFAS remediation trust fund. Municipal officials and advocates described the high costs of PFAS cleanup, especially for drinking water systems, citing Easton’s multimillion-dollar treatment investments and rate increases. Testimony from legislators and advocates argued that Massachusetts should act despite federal uncertainty, and that the state should stop PFAS at the source rather than leaving municipalities and residents to pay for remediation. The committee also heard strong support for a bill banning DEHP in medical devices, with physicians, nurses, and a bill sponsor saying the chemical can leach from IV bags and tubing and that safer alternatives already exist. The committee also heard testimony on bills to establish statewide food truck permitting, with food truck owners and a senator describing the current system as costly, duplicative, and inconsistent across municipalities. Another set of witnesses supported the “Bean New Deal,” which would expand plant-based food options in public institutions, senior nutrition programs, and WIC, citing health, equity, and cost savings. On lead poisoning, housing advocates and a representative backed bills to expand lead-safe housing requirements to all rental units, arguing the current law contributes to discrimination against families with children and leaves too much pre-1978 housing uncertified. The committee also heard support for an outdoor air pollution bill that would create an advisory committee, identify pollution hotspots, expand monitoring, and set reduction targets, with testimony from environmental justice groups, pediatricians, and legislators describing disproportionate asthma and other health harms in overburdened communities. Later testimony addressed oral health bills to create dental therapists and allow dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide, with supporters saying the measures would expand access, reduce costs, and help underserved patients. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to prohibit harmful food dyes in competitive school foods, with parents describing behavioral and health concerns tied to synthetic dyes. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And also did recognize that we do need that training, but did provide some, if you've had the training
• They can focus on training<00:14:54.079> then.
• That gives them this training then.
• you've had the training recently, some you've had the training recently, some requirements,<00:15
• <00:15:38.160> can summer um not only the construction can summer um not only the construction

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , Harbor, whether it's been from training, Harbor, whether it's been from training, um<00:24:16.720
• <00:36:46.600> their<00:36:46.760> 50,000 having us train their 50,000 having us train
• Bert Johnson continued: From highway construction to bridge construction to commercial to multi-family
• the multi-family construction industry. the multi-family construction industry.
• Why would we construction industry?

Bills: HF4234, HF3697, HF1183, HF4738

Keywords: HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund, Minnesota Statutes, time limit, claims, tax overpayment, taxation

Summary: The committee first adopted the April 14, 2026 minutes as amended, correcting a misspelling in the reference to Chair Davids. It then heard House File 4234, a tax-exempt bonding/affordable housing bill from Representative Rey Rower, and adopted a technical A1 amendment before laying the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. The bill would conform Minnesota law to recent federal changes to low-income housing tax credit rules by lowering the amount of tax-exempt bonds needed for projects to qualify, with the stated goal of spreading bond allocations across more projects and increasing affordable housing production without additional state funds. Testimony in support came from the bill author, the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, and Mary Tingerthal, who said the change would increase efficiency in the use of federal bond authority and could raise the number of funded housing projects from about 16 to 25 per year, bringing in roughly $120 million more annually for housing. Members discussed where the benefits would be felt statewide, including greater Minnesota and larger metro areas, and the author said the bill would help address shortages in affordable and senior housing. The committee took no final vote on the bill, instead laying it over. The committee next heard House File 3697 from Vice Chair Norris, which would change Minnesota’s tax refund claim timelines to better align with federal law and most other states. The author and a tax attorney testifier said the bill would reduce confusion and help taxpayers, especially vulnerable individuals who may overpay or be overassessed and then miss the current deadline to seek refunds. The Department of Revenue said it had no concerns with the language and did not oppose the bill, and the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. Finally, the committee began hearing House File 4738 from Representative Keeler, a Safe Harbor funding proposal for victims of sex trafficking and sexually exploited youth. The author described Safe Harbor as a statewide program serving youth across Minnesota and said the committee should consider creative funding options, but Chair Davids stated the proposed funding source would not work because it would take money from women’s sports scholarships. Testifiers from Lake House in Duluth and a former Safe Harbor youth described the program’s impact on homeless and trafficked youth, including shelter, mental health services, education, and transition to adulthood. The hearing continued with testimony, but no action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• What I can tell you is the current construct is not adequate, and so we will move away from that construct
• These are job opportunities for construction and the building trades.
• I think Michael's living it with 8500 construction workers a day.
• or rate cost allocation constructs.
• Liz Schwab: We have also supported the Electrical Training Alliance to boost the training of electricians

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss data centers and their impact on Texas's energy infrastructure. The meeting featured testimony from key representatives of the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and ERCOT, who outlined the evolving landscape of energy generation and the challenges posed by the rapid growth of data centers. Notably, ERCOT reported over 450,000 MW of generation resources planned for connection, with a significant portion attributed to data centers, which now represent around 87% of new large load interconnection requests. The committee explored proposed changes to the interconnection process, including a new 'batch study' approach aimed at streamlining the approval of multiple projects simultaneously. This change is intended to address the challenges of managing numerous simultaneous requests and to provide more certainty for developers regarding their energy needs. Testimonies emphasized the importance of ensuring that the costs of infrastructure upgrades are borne by the data centers rather than residential ratepayers, with discussions around the financial commitments required from developers. Several data center developers also provided testimony, highlighting the economic benefits of their projects, including job creation and increased local revenues. They expressed concerns about the potential for a moratorium on future growth due to the new interconnection rules and emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to address water usage and environmental impacts. The committee plans to continue discussions on these topics in future hearings, with a focus on balancing economic growth with energy reliability and resource management.

Transcript Highlights:

• What I can tell you is the current construct is not adequate, and so we will move away from that construct
• These are job opportunities for construction and the building trades.
• I think Michael's living it with 8500 construction workers a day.
• or rate cost allocation constructs.
• We have also supported the Electrical Training Alliance to boost the training of electricians and apprentices

Transcript Highlights:

• That is also to note that there are specific construction activities...
• So there is a change in that construction horizon that's happened.
• We do need funds in hand to begin construction.
• The timing of transit in this is all guided by that construction sequencing.
• We are also looking to advance construction.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The committee first received an informational update on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project from Carly Francis and Travis Brower. They described the project’s purpose as improving seismic resilience, safety, freight movement, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian access across the Columbia River, and said the updated cost estimate is $13.2 billion to $14.4 billion for the full corridor. They explained the increase from the 2022 estimate as driven by construction inflation, a more conservative inflation curve, schedule delays, more detailed engineering, and risk modeling. They also outlined the funding plan, including $2.1 billion in federal funds, $1 billion each from Oregon and Washington, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue, and said they are working to obligate federal funds by the end of September. The panel described a first funded phase that would include the bridge, highway connections, tolling infrastructure, bridge removal, and transit design, with light rail to Vancouver still intended but dependent on additional funding. Members questioned the risk of losing federal transit funds, whether bridge design decisions were being made with legislative input, and whether the space reserved for light rail could be used for buses if transit funding does not materialize. The committee then heard testimony on maintaining Oregon’s existing roads and bridges from representatives of Knife River, the Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon, and CRH. Witnesses said pavement and bridge preservation is severely underfunded, with ODOT needing about $400 million per year for pavement preservation but receiving roughly $100 million annually. They showed examples of deteriorating highways such as U.S. 97 and I-84 and argued that delaying maintenance leads to much higher reconstruction costs, more safety risks, and higher user costs. Knife River described layoffs and reduced work in Oregon because of limited preservation funding, while witnesses also said rising wages, equipment costs, fuel, and permitting delays are increasing project costs. Committee members asked about the role of prevailing wage, diesel equipment, hauling distances, and whether preservation work could be prioritized more effectively. Finally, economist Joe Cortright presented on recent ODOT megaproject cost overruns. He said Oregon has experienced persistent overruns driven by overly optimistic revenue forecasts, heavy reliance on debt, consultant costs, inflation above forecast, and projects that have become much larger in scope than originally presented. He cited major increases in the Interstate Bridge, Rose Quarter, and Abernathy Bridge projects and argued that some designs are far wider and more expensive than necessary. Cortright said better accountability, clearer priorities, and more disciplined project sizing are needed, and committee members pressed him on why agencies proceed with larger designs even when consultants recommend narrower, less expensive alternatives.